When you are planning for a full-fledged exterior wall render treatment, the first question which comes to your mind is:-
“What is the best render mix for my exterior walls?”
Truth be told, the answer to this question largely depends on the type of rendering treatment you choose for your exterior walls.
Explaining It Further…
Rendering is a process of applying a proper cement mix to your home walls (be it on the outside or inside) to achieve a smooth textured surface. They not only come with impressive fire-deterrent and water-resistance qualities but also boosts the overall aesthetics of your property.
So, What Are The Chief Components Of A Proper Render Mix?
Most quality rendering mixtures consists of water, cement, lime and sand. And the average ratio which you should use in its mix is 6 part sand, 1 part lime and 1 cement. So the ratio stands as (6:1:1).
Any quality cement will do the trick. But when you sort out the sand, be sure to go for ones having a fine texture- devoid of any form of impurities.
Still, if you want a good suggestion- then skilled building rendering specialists recommend going for plastering sand. They also suggest going for coarse sand for the base layer and fine-textured sand for coating the top-most layer.
The inclusion of lime is to improve the elasticity of the mix and forbade it from cracking as it dries. In words of experts, the best type of lime is using hydrated lime. To further enhance the render mix; you can add colour-altering pigments and quality additives which assist in quality bonding and appropriate drying.
Experts Suggest Opting For 6:1:1 Ratio Render Mix!
The best thing to do in your case is to opt for a render mix with a 6:1:1 ratio for coating your exterior or interior walls. The mistake that most people make is not sticking to the one part lime with the one part cement ratio. Avoid this and do not exceed the ratio.
Using the appropriate amount of lime helps make the cement mix creamy and also ensures better elasticity. It also assists in self-curing of the render coat- particularly since your walls will undergo expansion and contraction due to seasonal changes over time. Some experts firmly believe that when cracks do start to form, lime helps in re-calcifying the crack slightly!
Schedule an appointment with a professional external wall rendering specialist and ask them what’s they think will be the best treatment for your property walls. They will be more than happy to share their knowledge and help you best weather-proof your property.
